Best Friends (New Species #15)(41)

At the same time, he admired her courage and understood Mel’s reasons for wanting to do it. She cared deeply about her female friend, Mary. He’d do anything for his friends. That included risking his life. Mel was brave. That earned his respect. She was an amazingly caring female.

He also felt determined. He wouldn’t let Mel out of his sight once they set her plan into motion. Nothing was going to happen to her. He wouldn’t allow it. No human would take her away from him or steal their future.

Motion drew his attention, and he found Brass watching him from the front seat. The male wasn’t his favorite person at that moment. He’d agreed to Mel’s plan. Then again, Snow could have overruled it since she was his mate—even if she hadn’t officially agreed. No Species would fight him on it if he aggressively refused to send a team to her apartment. It might upset Mel enough to reject him, though.

Brass didn’t say anything aloud. Instead, he silently mouthed, “She would have done it anyway.”

Snow gave a slight nod of acknowledgement. As a Species, most of their kind had gotten good at reading lips from their years at Mercile. The doctors and orderlies always tried to lie to them, but they’d all learned to watch their lips when possible as they whispered to each other too far away to hear or when glass separated them.

“We’ll protect her,” Brass mouthed. “Better us than them.”

Snow agreed, giving another nod. He trusted the sheriff and most of his deputies but he didn’t want Mel’s life in their hands. And he didn’t want Deputy Dud near her ever again. The male had asked her to live with him! He bristled just remembering, still wanting to punch him.

Mel stirred on his lap and studied him. “Are you okay? You’re being entirely too quiet.” There was a hint of worry in her beautiful eyes.

“I want to keep you safe at Reservation.”

“I know but―”

“You’re worried about Mary. I hate your plan but I understand. I’m not going to fight you on this, even if I wish I could.”

“Thank you, Snow. I get that this is hard on you.”

She really had no idea. “I keep thinking about how you could have been killed.” He stroked his hand down her back. “I’m going over scenarios in my head. What if the male shows up with a gun? What if he shoots you before we can get to him? You’re wearing a vest. Don’t fight me on that.”

“He was trying to grab me. He wanted answers. Dead folks can’t talk.”

“You hurt him when you fought him off. Bad males might change their motives and want revenge more.”

She reached up and cupped his face. “I’m hearing you. I am. I’ve still got to do this. Do you believe in gut feelings?”

“Yes. We call them instincts.”

“Mine are telling me that I’m right, and if he can’t get to me, he might go after Mary again. I’m sure it’s linked to the shooting, since he broke into Mary’s place, too. Her and I were the ones working that shift. Mary is like family. Actually, I like her better than my real family. I’d talk Mary into moving to Reservation, but I know she won’t. I have a better chance of winning a billion dollars playing the lottery. She’s super scared of animals. Not that you or other New Species are animals.” She glanced around, giving his friends apologetic looks, before going on.

“She’s even afraid of kittens, puppies, fluffy bunnies, and even those super-cute sloths. A customer came in a few months ago showing a video on her phone of a baby sloth getting a bath. It was adorable. Not to Mary. She said they look all cute but them bam! They might use those claws to attack. She even had a nightmare about it. It was ridiculous but…that’s Mary for you. She’s got the worst case of animal phobia that I’ve ever seen. There’s no way she could live with New Species.”

Snow stroked her back more. “I understand, Mel. We are way more frightening than baby sloths.”

Everyone inside the SUV chuckled.

“Are you mad at me?” She appeared worried.

“No. This is something you feel you need to do. I’ll support you.”

“We all will,” Timber stated from the driver’s seat.

They came up on the gates but they didn’t have to stop. Brass had called ahead. Snow liked that Reservation was laxer about the rules than Homeland at times. Otherwise, Mel would have to suffer a pat down by someone on duty every time she entered. He knew he could thank Brass for her easy clearance.

Snow helped her out of the SUV when they stopped in front of the hotel, keeping hold of her hand. He couldn’t wait to get her upstairs and alone. He’d missed her, and the scare he’d had made his need to touch her almost unbearable.

Brass stopped them before they could go inside. “We need to fine-tune the details of this mission. We’ll meet at eight in the morning for a shared breakfast.” His gaze locked with Snow’s. “You’re off duty for the next few days. Stay with your female.”

“Thank you.” He knew the NSO would be supportive. Mel wasn’t officially his mate but he’d made his intentions clear.

He took her into the hotel. Other Species were inside, but they kept back, giving grim nods his way. They must have heard what happened to Mel. He led her to the elevator and took her directly to his home. No one stopped or spoke to them. He was grateful for that.